McGrath showing signs of his best

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Right on cue, it was typical Glenn McGrath: 21 overs, eight maidens, 25 runs, four wickets. Accurate, miserly and successful.

Also in the nick of time, Michael Clarke made 52 to virtually ensure he makes his Test debut against India at Bangalore on Wednesday.

McGrath's ominous haul on the final day of the drawn match against Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India's Brabourne Stadium - the 135th anniversary of the birth of Gandhi - indicated the veteran paceman was timing his run to perfection before the series opener.

And it silenced all whispers about the possibility of Brett Lee taking his place.

Mumbai was dismissed for 255 in reply to Australia's 7(dec)-302 with McGrath receiving able support from allrounder Shane Watson, who rebounded from his golden duck on day two to take 2-23 from eight overs.

Clarke's left-arm tweakers were good and bad.

He was too loose on occasions, but when he got it right there was a significant amount of turn. He beat the bat, took the wicket of Ajit Agarkar and did enough to suggest with his 1-56 that he could provide a bit of nuisance value as a back-up bowler during the Tests.

Australia had 54 overs of batting practice after lunch, storming to 1-207 by stumps.

Justin Langer made an unbeaten 108 after opening the innings with Clarke, the likely Test debutante in place of injured captain Ricky Ponting.

Mumbai captain Sairaj Bahutule put pressure on Clarke by employing a slip and two bat-pad fielders for most of his innings. The 23-year-old gave a couple of half-chances and did not always look entirely comfortable but he grew in confidence during his 145-minute, 95-ball stay.

He was caught in close by Vinit Indulkar off the bowling of Ramesh Powar - despite Indulkar not appealing.

Meanwhile, Damien Martyn, having slept poorly and skipped breakfast because of a stomach upset before making a classy 71 not out on Friday, said Australia's batsmen were unlikely to freeze again in the Tests like most of them did against Harbhajan Singh three years ago.

"We've been here a lot now," said Martyn.

"We've toured India and Sri Lanka and we feel very comfortable with our game plans and how we approach the spinners.

"All the guys are looking forward to the Test. There are no real demons out there for us now. We're all ready to go."

Australia leaves for Bangalore on Sunday. The real stuff is about to begin.